Israel Matzav

Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan joining forces

Well, isn't this great news? Turkey's Abdullah Gul (center), Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai (left) and Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari met on Friday - the morning after Gul met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - and announced that the three countries will hold joint military maneuvers in March 2011 (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

Turkish diplomatic sources speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation confirmed the plans Friday to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

“Development [of our countries] is a strategic tool to maintain peace, stability and serenity,” Turkish President Abdullah Gül said Friday in his opening speech at the summit, which followed a meeting of Central Asian countries belonging to the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Security and development were the main issues discussed at the trilateral summit. In his speech, Gül said the three countries had to provide a positive environment for private investment and strengthen cooperation in the fields of air transportation, commerce and energy. [More nuclear proliferation coming? CiJ]

In addition to the training exercise, the heads of state also decided to establish infrastructure for audiovisual conferences as well as a natural disaster emergency operation center. Four main decisions were made regarding security issues including joint military drills, the fight against terrorism, a joint program on police cooperation and one on the fight against drug trafficking.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Abdullah Gul, Asif Ali Zardari, Hamid Karzai, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:31 AM